Device for holding down mobile homes

ABSTRACT

A hold-down device for anchoring mobile homes to the ground comprises an elongated flexible strap extending over the top of the mobile home and having opposite ends extending downwardly along the side walls of the mobile home. A pair of anchor elements are anchored in the ground adjacent the opposite ends of the straps. The anchor elements comprise an elongated rod having blade means on the lower end thereof for anchoring the rod in the ground. A strap gripping means is mounted on the upper end of each of the rods for securing the opposite ends of the straps to the rods. At least one of the strap gripping means comprises a winch around which is wound the straps so that the strap may be tightened to adjust the tension therein. The straps are constructed from a polyester synthetic fibrous material.

United States Patent i191 Abbott [111 3,871,142 Mar.- 18, 1975 DEVICE FOR HOLDING DOWN MOBILE HOMES [75] Inventor: Donald W. Abbott, Des Moines,

Iowa

[73] Assignee: Windtie Corporation, Des Moines,

Iowa

221 Filed: June 18, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 371,263

[52] U.S. Cl 52/23, 52/149, 52/157 [51] Int. Cl E04h 9/14 [58] Field of Search 52/23, 149, 148, 146, 143,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 322,072 7/1885 Schweickhard 777,441 12/1904 Small 3,054,151 9/1962 Shankland 52/23 3,295,274 l/1967 Fulton 52/148 3,697,045 10/1972 Farley 248/361 A 3,726,054 4/1973 Anderson et al. 52/23 X 3,733,750 5/1973 Hege 52/23 X 3,772,838 11/1973 Virnig ..52/23X Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmZarley, Mckee, Thomte & Voorhees [57] ABSTRACT A hold-down device for anchoring mobile homes to the ground comprises an elongated flexible strap extending over the top of the mobile home and having opposite ends extending downwardly along the sidewalls of the mobile home. A pair of anchor elements 3 are anchored in the ground adjacent the opposite ends of the straps. The anchor elements comprise an elongated rod having blade means on the lower end thereof for anchoring the rod in the ground. A strap gripping means is mounted on the upper end of each of the rods for securing the opposite ends of the straps to the rods. At least one of the strap gripping means comprises a winch around which is wound the straps so that the strap may be tightened to adjust the tension therein. The straps are constructed from a polyester synthetic fibrous material.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures DEVICE FOR HOLDING DOWN MOBILE HOMES This invention relates to a hold-down device for mobile homes.

In recent years the popularity of mobile homes has increased substantially. One problem encountered with mobile homes however is the safety of these structures during violent wind storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. Because of their lighter weight, and because by their very nature they are not anchored to the ground in a satisfactory manner, these mobile homes are often susceptible to strong winds.

The present invention is a device for holding down mobile homes in strong winds. It comprises a strap which extends over the upper end of the mobile home and which is anchored to rods which are firmly anchored in the ground on opposite sides of the mobile home. Winches are provided for tightening the tension in the straps. The straps are constructed from a polyester fibrous material and are adapted to withstand tensions of up to 15,000 pounds.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a device which will hold down mobile homes throughout exposure to strong winds and elements.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device which is simple to install.

- A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device which can easily be removed for transporting the mobile home.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a hold-down device which is light in weight.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device which is unobstrusive and does not destroy the aesthetic appearance of the mobile home.

A further object of the present invention is the provision ofa device which can be tightened or adjusted easily at will. 7

A further object of the present invention is the provi sion ofa device which will accommodate mobile homes of virtually any size.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device which is stronger than previous holddown devices and will withstand greater tensions than previous hold-down devices.

A further object of the present invention isthe provision of a device which does not deteriorate appreciably in response to weathering.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device which is economical to manufacture, durable in use, and attractive in appearance.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a mobile home having the hold-down device of the present invention thereon.

FIG. 2 is the view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded pictorial view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings the numeral generally designates a mobile home having a top 12, opposite side walls 14, opposite end walls 16, support wheels 18, and a forwardly extending tongue 20.

The numeral 22 generally designates the hold-down device of the present invention. Device 22 comprises a ment 33 is welded to the lower end of rod 32 and is adapted to be screwed into the ground to provide an anchor for rod 32. The upper end of rod 32 is formed into an eyelet 38.

Winch 26 includes a U-shaped frame 40 in which is supported a rotatable winch drum 42. Winch drum 42 includes gears 44 which are adapted to mesh with a reduction gear (not shown) driven by a handle 46. Handle 46 is removably mounted on a reduction gear shaft 48. A lock lever 50 is adapted to intermesh with gears 44 so as to lock drum 42 against rotational movement when it is desired to do so.

Winch 26 is secured to the upper end of rod 32 by means of a U-bolt 52 which surrounds rod 32 below eyelet 38 and which extends through holes in U-shaped frame 40 of winch 26 where it held by nuts 54. To provide an additional securement of winch 26 to anchor element 24, a bolt 56 extends through eyelet 38 and also through the web portion of U-shaped frame 40 1 where it is secured by nut 58. Bolt 56 is retained in eye-- let 58 by virtue of a collet 60 which is inserted within eyelet 38 and also by means of a washer 62 which embraces collet 60 and also engages eyelet 38. These two means of securing winch 26 to anchor element 24 provide means for resisting tension forces which may be exerted by strap 28.

Strap 28 is wound around winch drum 42 and extends upwardly over the top of mobile home 10 and down the opposite side thereof where it is secured to a second winch identical to the one shown in FIG. 3. While it is preferable that winches be utilized at opposite ends of strap 28, it is possible to utilize only one winch at one end of belt 28 and to secure the other end of belt 28 directly to anchor element 24.

Corner brackets 30 include a horizontal leg 64 and a vertical leg 66. Each of these legs include flanges or guides 68 which are adapted to embrace the opposite edges of strap 28. A'roller element 70 extends between flanges 68 of horizontal leg 64, and is adapted to rotate similar to a roller bearing. Strap 28 extends over roller element 70 and bears on roller 70 so as to permit the tension in strap 28 to be easily transferred to the opposite ends thereof. Brackets 30 therefore prevent straps 28 from engaging the corners of mobile home 10, and consequently brackets 30 minimize the danger that straps 28 might become worn or torn as a result of their engagement with the corners of mobile home 10.

Particularly advantageous results have been obtained by the use-of a strap made of polyester fibers. A preferred type of strap is a two inch polyester belting which will withstand 18,000 pound tension and which is manufactured by Southern Weaving Company, Greenville, S. C., under the trade designation Style 1233 XP.

A hold-down device manufactured with the above referred to strap material has been found to be highly successful in preventing damage to mobile homes during high winds. It is simple to install and can be easily removed during transportation of the mobile home. Furthermore, it is light in weight and does not destroy the aesthetic appearance of the mobile home. It can be tightened or adjusted at any time by the owner of the mobile home and will accommodate mobile homes of virtually any size. The polyester fiber strap is stronger than steel and will not deteriorate in response to weathering. The device is economical to manufacture and durable to use, and therefore it can be seen that the devices accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Wherefore lglai m W d liiTho ld -down device for anchoring 5156515 home to the ground, said mobile homes having a top, opposite walls extending downwardly from the lateral edges of said top, and opposite ends, said hold-down device comprising:

a single elongated flexible strap extending over said top of said mobile home and having opposite ends extending vertically downwardly along said sidewalls of said mobile home,

said strap being of polyester material,

corner brackets being mounted at the corners of said mobile home where said sidewalls meet the edges of said top wall,

each of said corner brackets being L-shaped and having a horizontal leg positioned on said top of said mobile home and a vertical leg forming a corner juncture with said horizontal leg and extending downwardly therefrom in engagement with one of said walls of said mobile home,

each of said horizontal and vertical legs of said brackets having lateral flanges,

each of said brackets having a roller extending between the flanges of said horizontalleg andbeingjacent said opposite ends of said straps, said anchor n elements comprising an elongated rod having helical blade means on the lower end thereof, said blade means being buried in the ground,

strap gripping means mounted on the upper end of each of said rods for securing said opposite ends of said straps to said rods,

at least one of said gripping means comprising a winch, said strap being wound around said winch, said winch having a handle for turning said winch to adjust the tension in said strap.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein each of said rods include an eyelet adjacent its upper end, a bolt extending through said eyelet to secure said rod to said gripping means; a U-shaped bolt extending around said rod below said eyelet and having opposite ends secured to said gripping means. 

1. A hold-down device for anchoring a mobile home to the ground, said mobile homes having a top, opposite walls extending downwardly from the lateral edges of said top, and opposite ends, said hold-down device comprising: a single elongated flexible strap extending over said top of said mobile home and having opposite ends extending vertically downwardly along said sidewalls of said mobile home, said strap being of polyester material, corner brackets being mounted at the corners of said mobile home where said sidewalls meet the edges of said top wall, each of said corner brackets being L-shaped and having a horizontal leg positioned on said top of said mobile home and a vertical leg forming a corner juncture with said horizontal leg and extending downwardly therefrom in engagement with one of said walls of said mobile home, each of said horizontal and vertical legs of said brackets having lateral flanges, each of said brackets having a roller extending between the flanges of said horizontal leg and being positioned adjacent said corner juncture, said strap being slidably received between the flanges of said horizontal and vertical legs of said brackets and extending over said roller whereby said flanges maintain said strap in alignment over said bracket and said roller so that said strap is prevented from engaging the corners of said mobile home and so that tension in said strap may be easily transferred to the opposite ends thereof, a pair of anchor elements anchored in the ground adjacent said opposite ends of said straps, said anchor elements comprising an elongated rod having helical blade means on the lower end thereof, said blade means being buried in the ground, strap gripping means mounted on the upper end of each of said rods for securing said opposite ends of said straps to said rods, at least one of said gripping means comprising a winch, said strap being wound around said winch, said winch having a handle for turning said winch to adjust the tension in said strap.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein each of said rods include an eyelet adjacent its upper end, a bolt extending through said eyelet to secure said rod to said gripping means; a U-shaped bolt extending around said rod below said eyelet and having opposite ends secured to said gripping means. 